How to Sell Friendship

Business is a tool for rewriting the world.

That was the first thing I learned from a certain someone.

It was back when I was a little brat who knew nothing about how society worked and could only whine about the unfairness that befell me.

Common sense, values, laws, morals—all the things that shape today's world might seem like absolute, unchanging rules, but that isn't the case. They're flexible things that change with the times, technological progress, and lots of other factors.

His face was covered in stubble. His skin was tanned, and his body was massive. He had unusually fierce eyes.

Instead of the president of some major company, he looked more like a bear hunter.

Did you know? There used to be dead zones where you couldn't use smartphones. But now, whether you're on the summit of Mount Everest, in a tribal village deep in the Amazon, or in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, signal coverage is taken for granted. Never losing track of your location is a given. Being constantly connected to others through social media is a given. The thing that created that kind of world, the most effective force for interfering with the world in modern society, is business.

Back then, I couldn't understand even half of what he was saying.

But, strangely, that man's words penetrated right through to me.

Well, the bottom line is this. If you don't like the current state of the world, then remake it into the shape you want. If that's something you're interested in, I'll drill the method—the way of business—into you.

It was probably because that man wasn't using words meant for an eight-year-old kid, but for talking to adults.

And because those words weren't sympathy toward a pitiful, orphaned kid, but expectations directed at a person named Sei Makoto.

Let me be clear—I have no intention of babysitting you. You've got quick thinking, sharp instincts, and guts. This is an upfront investment based on what I see in you. Plus, I'll be using you as a poster child for our company's social contributions. We need to start thinking about that stuff, or the shareholders will start pestering us.

And those expectations were synonymous with the expectations directed at a business partner.

In other words, it's the fundamental principle of business—a win-win relationship where both sides benefit. If that sounds convincing, then come on, take my hand.

And so . . .

Because you know, in business, you shake hands when a contract is made.

Without hesitation, I took that outstretched hand.

This man's words were surely correct.

From the moment I had decided to pursue business, everything had changed.

My world had undoubtedly been rewritten.

1. Interlude: World Business Foundation (WBF)

Giving young businesspeople the chance to transform the world.

That was the slogan at the top of the organization's official website.

The World Business Foundation—WBF for short—was a business support organization established across twenty countries worldwide by the legendary businessperson Aaron Joits, who had invested his entire fortune on his deathbed.

Its activities consisted of:

Supporting the businesses of members called scholars selected among young entrepreneurs.

Providing 10 trillion yen in support to the most outstanding individual among the scholars.

This unprecedented level of support had sent shockwaves among businesspeople worldwide.

Ten trillion yen was an amount equivalent to a small nation's budget. For such a sum to be given to a single individual meant they could wield national-level influence as a private person.

That overwhelming power was truly a force capable of reaching the world itself.

In other words, you could call it the right to challenge the world through business.

Just as Joits himself once realized a world of bonds where all people and things could remain forever connected through his business, No Dead Zone Global Internet Services.

Up-and-coming businesspeople also gathered at WBF to sketch their own ideal vision of the world.

WBF Japan Branch - Scholar Selection Exam

Those taking on the challenge included Geniuses, Emperors, Pioneers, Mavericks—entrepreneurs of every notorious stripe.

Each approached the exam with their unparalleled talent and one-of-a-kind business.

Sei Makoto was one of them.

At a mere eighteen years old, he was a Genius Consultant with expertise across over 100 business domains and a track record of supporting over 1,000 companies.

From his ability to overturn any difficulty, any impossibility, and always guide his clients' businesses to success, he had earned the epithet Success Contractor.

He was about to take on the exam, harboring in his heart the shape of a new, unseen world.

♦

2. Side: Sei Makoto - Peddling Friends

Marunouchi, Tokyo (Tokyo Station Marunouchi Exit Rotary)

It was April. Winter had come to an end and spring had arrived. There was no longer any need to wear a coat.

During the Monday morning rush hour at the crowded Tokyo Station, the heavy footsteps of suited salarymen echoed through the air.

In the midst of all this, I was waiting for a taxi to get to the Scholar Selection Exam briefing venue when—

Hey, how'd ya like a friend?!

Huh?

For some reason, a complete stranger was trying to peddle a friend to me.

×××

Let's rewind the story just a bit.

Last night, I'd gotten tied up dealing with a client's emergency that had come up out of nowhere, and before I knew it, I was watching the sunrise.

I had left the Otemachi building at 8 a.m. There hadn't been enough time to go back to my place in Roppongi, so I headed straight to the nearest subway station.

I'd calculated that taking the subway would just barely get me to the briefing venue on time, but as luck would have it, the electronic display board showed Train Car Issue: 15 minute delay. The announcement said service would resume shortly, but boarding the train when I couldn't be sure whether I'd arrive on schedule was too risky.

I had no choice but to take a taxi. I didn't like wasting money on unnecessary expenses, but there was no other option.

I quickly made that decision and walked toward the Marunouchi exit taxi stand while straightening my wrinkled tie.

Damn it, every single one of my clients has been blithely scheduling late-night work ever since I turned eighteen . . . Even young people get tired, you bastards.

Maybe I should cut back on consulting work from now on, I thought to myself as I slipped through the crowd and made it to the rotary.

There, I waited for a taxi, but as luck would have it, none seemed to be available. I yawned as I stood there completely zoned out.

Hey, good morning!

Yes?

I felt a pat on my back, followed by that cheerful voice.

When I turned around, a young woman in a suit was looking up at me with a bright, sunny smile.

What? Who is this?

As I tried to search my memory, she continued jabbering in that cheerful tone.

Hey, how'd ya like a friend?!

Huh?

C'mon, c'mon, whaddaya say?!

Uh . . .

I scratched my cheek and gave her a suspicious look, but she just kept smiling cheerfully. She clearly didn't think there was anything weird about what she was saying.

I'd been involved in my fair share of business negotiations, but this was the first time someone tried to sell me something like that right off the bat.

Is this one of those scams where they sell you pottery or paintings as a package deal?

Uh, I apologize if I'm mistaken, but . . . we've never met before, right?

I put on my business face just in case. If she happened to be connected to one of my clients, that would be a pain.

Yep, today's the first time mi has talked to ya!

She nodded vigorously.

"Talked," huh . . . ? That's an oddly specific way to put it. Though I'm more bothered by that silly-sounding "mi" and "ya."

Completely unbothered by my continued suspicious stare, she kept chattering away with sparkling eyes.

Mi wants to become friends with lots of people! That's why mi actively talks to anyone who catches my interest!

Ah . . .

Because mi thinks there are definitely tons of amazing people out there, and if mi could meet lots of different people and become friends with them, that would make mi super happy, don't ya think?!

Seems like the happiest thing here is your brain.

Ah, crap. Her head-in-the-clouds nonsense made me inadvertently respond with my real thoughts.

I checked to see if I offended her, but she just looked puzzled.

Pfft!

She immediately snorted.

Ahaha! Yep, mi is always happy!

For some reason, she started laughing cheerfully.

What a weird person.

Either a total eccentric or exceptionally stupid.

I cooled my head while straightening my tie and decided to properly analyze this girl's background.

Big, bright round eyes and blond hair tied in a side ponytail.

Her cheerfully grinning face is more than adequate—good-looking enough that she wouldn't be out of place in some national idol group. That said, she doesn't have the kind of aura you'd expect from a model or actress, so she's probably just a regular person. Age-wise, I'd put her at around twenty.

Earrings, a necklace around her chest, and an analog watch on her left wrist. She has a typical office lady bag slung over her shoulder, and she's wearing a completely off-the-rack pantsuit.

Her nails are perfectly done, and at first glance, she seems like the gaudy-girly type who cares about fashion. Though the fact that she isn't wearing a single luxury brand item feels somewhat out of place.

Perhaps she's a new employee at an apparel or beauty company?

Since it's April, it makes sense timing-wise, and maybe they've already put her to work doing door-to-door sales.

Door-to-door sales rely heavily on numbers and persistence—the standard approach is to talk to anyone and everyone to build relationships of any kind.

If I suppose she came up with using "friends" as an excuse to approach people, well, that logic tracks.

I'd be willing to humor her if I had the time, but unfortunately I'm pressed right now.

So, following standard practice, she should try someone else with that persistence of hers. Conclusion reached.

I glanced down at my wristwatch to signal that I was pressed for time and turned back toward the rotary.

Sorry, but I'm in a hurry. If you're trying to sell something, try someone else—

Oh, that's right, you need to hurry!

Hey, wait . . .

Before I could finish speaking, she leaned in close and peered at my wristwatch from point-blank range. Her soft hair swayed gently right in front of my face, and a sweet-sour citrus scent—whether from shampoo or perfume—hit my nostrils.

I quickly pulled my arm back to avoid any contact and exhaled in relief.

That was close . . . Hey, I don't want to get accused of groping or harassment over something like this. And don't just casually get close to men you've never met before, you careless idiot.

Following the law is my motto, so we're all good, but what if I were some creep with ulterior motives?

I took a large step back.

Ahem.

I cleared my throat and switched to a slightly irritated tone.

Did you hear me? I said I'm in a hurry.

Yep, mi heard ya loud and clear! Ya looking for a taxi because ya need to hurry, right? Mi too!

Yeah, but that's not what I'm talking about—

Oh, here it comes! Hey, taxi!

She had apparently noticed an available taxi approaching and started walking toward it while waving.

Hey, don't cut me off—wait, what?!

Then, for whatever reason, she suddenly tried to block the taxi's path.

Wait, that's dangerous!

Whoa?

I frantically grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

Startled by the figure that had suddenly jumped out, the taxi slammed on its brakes, but fortunately, no accident occurred, and it slowed down as it approached the taxi stand.

I exhaled in relief, then raised my voice.

Hey, what were you thinking?! You could've been hit!

Huh? But don't ya have to flag down taxis or they won't stop?

Otherwise they'll just drive past, y'know?

She tilted her head in confusion.

That's for hailing one on the street! At taxi stands they stop automatically even if you don't do anything!

Oh, is that so? Mi never knew that!

Sorry, thanks!

She laughed as if embarrassed.

Hahhh . . . Jeez, what a reckless woman. Lives in her own world, totally clueless about everything around her . . .

I calmed my racing heart and let go of the arm I'd instinctively grabbed. That was an unavoidable circumstance, definitely not sexual harassment.

Once I released her, she turned toward the open back seat door.

Sorry for startling ya! Will ya take two people?

No, wait.

What are you doing, casually trying to share a ride with me?!

Huh? Is that bad?

Ah, damn it, I've been all tangled up in this girl's web from the start . . . !

Sure, this level of pushiness isn't wrong for sales—it should even be praised—but give me a break right now!

Look, I get your enthusiasm, but I seriously don't have time! I'll listen to your pitch when this is over, so save the sales talk for later!

Huh? Ya mentioned sales before too, but what does that mean?

I mean, aren't you trying to sell me something? Isn't that why you approached me?!

Huh? No?

Don't lie to me, I can tell—

No . . . wait a sec.

I took another close look at her puzzled expression.

Based on my experience with countless business negotiations, I was pretty confident in reading people's ulterior motives, but I didn't sense even a hint of a hidden agenda from her.

She's really not trying to sell me anything . . . ?

While I was feeling confused because my guess had been wrong, she suddenly brightened up.

Oh, right!

She clapped her hands as if she'd just realized something.

Look, we going to the same place, right? So mi thought it'd be nice to go together!

The same place . . . ?

My ears perked up.

That means . . .

No . . . no way.

A-are you . . . part of WBF . . . ?

Yep!

She nodded energetically.

Mi is a WBF candidate just like ya! Mi came all the way from a remote southern island for the final selection exam briefing!

. . .

. . .

Serious?

Super serious.

She responded with a confident thumbs up.

. . .

No . . . no way.

This airhead of a girl is a businessperson selected by WBF . . . ?

What exactly do you—Ngh?!

C'mon, c'mon, let's hurry!

Glomp!

Suddenly, as if exploiting a gap in my stunned thoughts, I felt some kind of soft weight against my right arm.

Huh . . . What?!

When I looked, my right arm was being hugged by her, firmly trapped by her obvious curves.

Wait, you . . . !

Hey, hey! Since we're going to the same place anyway, it'd be cheaper to split the fare, and that would make ya happy too, right? So let's go together!

No, that's not the issue here . . . ! Your chest is totally pressing against me!

I tried to escape from her hold, but I couldn't just shake her off forcefully, so I ended up just experiencing the squishy softness.

C-compliance! Please don't make this a compliance issue!

Compote? Ya don't like compote?

Wait, I'm not at fault here at all, am I?! I'm the victim here! Just you wait, I'll report this to the sexual harassment hotline—Wait, what am I, an idiot?! What kind of nonsense am I thinking?!

J-j-just let go of me!

C'mon, let's get in the taxi quickly, okay? Yeah?

Fine, fine, just don't squeeze my arm any tighter, you shameless woman . . . !

Shameless? What does shameless mean? Oh, my name is Ina!

Is this the time to introduce yourself?! Damn it!

Ah, crap, if I knew my brain was going to malfunction like this, I would've gotten used to interacting with women a bit more . . . !

In my spinning thoughts, for the first time, I regretted turning down all those entertainment invitations.

×××

After all that chaos, we tumbled into the taxi's back seat, and I was finally freed from that squishy hell.

Damn, even though it was a surprise attack, I made a complete fool of myself . . .

Driver! Um, to the WBF Japan Building, please!

While I was feeling completely drained, she was beside me, telling the driver our destination as if nothing had happened.

At the very least, it doesn't seem like this will turn into a compliance issue, but you should be more aware of yourself in other ways, you idiot.

In the moving taxi, I kept as much distance from her as possible as I cooled my head and turned to her.

Hey, you . . .

Ina! Ina Tamaki, from the Ogasawara Islands! Ya regular ol' Tokyo resident! . . . Oh wait, mi mean, mi WAS a regular Tokyo resident!

You . . .

I ignored her. At this rate, if I kept matching this girl's energy, we'd never get anywhere.

Let me ask again. You're definitely part of WBF, right? Not some other organization with the same name?

Yep! Super definitely 100% WBF!

You properly submitted an application, right? And you passed the preliminary interview that had a 100-to-1 acceptance rate?

Of course! Here, my exam ticket!

She pulled an envelope marked with WBF's name from her bag and held it out to me.

Still skeptical, I took it and looked. The envelope's address section clearly read: Ina Tamaki: Selection Exam Information. I pulled out the exam ticket and compared the name and photo, and they seemed to match perfectly.

She really was invited to take the WBF selection exam.

And her age says eighteen, so she's the same age as me . . . Well, looking at her birth date, she's one grade below me.

There should only be a handful of CEOs younger than me . . .

So. What exactly do you do anyway?

Huh? What do ya mean?

Your work, your work. What kind of company do you run?

WBF's application requirements were young entrepreneurs aged twenty-two or under.

In other words, all candidates were presidents, CEOs, and other company leaders.

Young entrepreneurs were rare enough as is. Among them, anyone called for the WBF selection exam should've been a famous person with industry-shaking achievements. Plus, my job was management consulting. My clients were all company executives, so I had to be knowledgeable about executives to do my job.

For all these reasons, a candidate whose face and name I didn't know at all was an extremely rare occurrence.

Oh, my company!

She clapped her hands together, then hurriedly pulled out a business card holder and handed me a card with the clumsy movements of a new employee who'd just learned business etiquette.

Here! Mi is Ina Tamaki, president of Why Don'tcha Come and See the Island, Co., Ltd! Yayyyy! Mi gave out my first business card properly!

What?

What kind of company name is that? Well, I'll ignore that for now.

First time? What do you mean, first time?

Mi first time! Mi just made the company before applying to WBF!

What the hell . . . ?

A startup venture, maybe?

If her industry happened to be IT-related, I guess that wouldn't be impossible to understand. Even without a track record, there's a chance she was recognized for her high growth potential.

But no matter how I looked at her, she didn't seem like that kind of intellectual entrepreneur . . .

Perhaps sensing my confusion, she continued her explanation.

Mi company is for promoting our island big time!

So a travel agency then? Or maybe some kind of tourism association?

Um . . . sorry, mi don't really know about that stuff.

Hehehe.

She gave an embarrassed laugh.

Mi don't know much about business or companies at all. When mi asked the island people, "How do I make a company?" John from the diving shop knew this administrative lawyer person, so mi asked them to do all sorts of stuff!

But that used up all my savings!

She crossed her arms with a troubled expression.

. . .

So what's your business description?

Promoting the island, of course!

What's your capital? How many employees?

Capital . . . Oh! Mi remember being told one yen was okay! Mi the only employee so far!

Track record?

Mi haven't done any proper work yet! But mi willing to do anything!

. . .

. . .

You must've made some seriously shady backroom deal with the interviewer.

Ahaha, no way! Fair and square! A passionate, full-frontal breakthrough!

Completely ignoring my sarcasm, she thrust her fist forward with proper thrusting technique, then smacked it right into the acrylic panel on the back of the driver's seat.

Ow!

Unbelievable. So far there's not a single element about her that would pass an interview.

Zero track record, mysterious organizational structure, and a completely empty business plan.

The president was an amateur through and through—a regular person with less knowledge than your average student entrepreneur, and a happy-go-lucky natural airhead to boot.

. . .

Huh? Is there something on my face?

I stared intently at her face while thinking.

That said . . .

The organization that conducted the screening was WBF, for better or worse. The WBF that's considered the world's premier business support organization.

This isn't some small-time company's hiring exam. It's hard to believe they'd make such a simple mistake in judgment.

If that's the case, there must be something worth evaluating somewhere, something that could overturn all these unfavorable conditions.

. . .

If that's the case, then . . .

Hey, you . . .

Geez, mi already said my name is Ina!

Why did you decide to apply to WBF?

I wanted to know her motivation for applying.

That was probably the key to everything.

She grinned broadly and replied without the slightest hesitation.

Because mi wanted to tell lots of people that our island is the happiest place in the whole world!

At those words, my ears perked up.

Could you tell me a bit more about that?

Oh, ya interested in my island?!

Her eyes sparkled brilliantly as she began speaking rapidly.

My island is really, really amazing! The ocean is beautiful, it's warm and comfortable to live there, and the food is delicious!

But most of all . . .

Everyone on the island—absolutely everyone—is such a suuuuuuper wonderful person!

She spread her arms wide dramatically and spoke with complete confidence.

I listened silently to her story.

Ya know what? When you watch the mainland news, it's always someone did something bad, or this person is terrible, stuff like that, right? And on the internet and social media, people complain about everything, posting about how hard their daily life is—everyone's getting fired up all the time.

Plus, strangers arguing with each other in video comment sections and stuff.

But on our island, everyone lives happily together every day, and there are never any fights! Mr. Jiro at the coffee shop is always smiling, so gentle and kind, and he never fails to say "have a good day" every single day. The lady at Nishijima General Store teaches mi healthy recipes every time mi go shopping and even gives mi free ice cream. And Mr. Shinji, who runs the fishing boat, always, always comes to share his catch when he has a big haul! The whole island is like one big family, and everyone is such good friends!

She spoke without a single pause, then smiled gently.

So mi was always thinking, wouldn't a place where friends can live together so happily be the most blissful place in the whole world?

. . .

But . . .

For the first time, her expression clouded over.

Apparently our island is going to become uninhabited. Since it's technically a village, mi guess it'd be called an abandoned village?

Come to think of it, I remembered seeing something about this on the news.

Due to aging populations and depopulation in the southern island chains, the cost of maintaining infrastructure had become uneconomical, and with the government's compact city promotion policies, remote islands without significant industry or tourism assets were being systematically consolidated or abandoned.

Well, there were all sorts of unsavory rumors about evicting islanders to turn the places into ocean resource development bases or testing grounds for newly export-approved defense equipment . . . But either way, residents of depopulated areas probably didn't have any real choice in the matter.

Mi mean, it's such super amazing place, somewhere everyone can live happily every day. It's so sad, so wrong! That's what mi thought, and—

She suddenly cut herself off mid-sentence, and a fierce light appeared in her eyes.

Mi thought, there's no choice but to do something about it.

Her voice was full of firm resolve.

Huh.

She's got a discerning eye.

So mi tried this and that, thinking about all sorts of things. Mi went to the government office every day asking if there was some way to prevent the village abandonment, and mi thought, what if it became a popular tourist destination? So, mi promoted the island like crazy on Inzta and TikTork and stuff.

Hmm . . . at least she's doing what she can as an amateur.

Haaahhh.

She let out a sigh before continuing.

But nothing worked at all. Mi thought there was absolutely no way mi would make it in time to stop the village abandonment, so mi kept looking for better methods.

And then . . .

Her face lit up.

A tourist who runs a company on the mainland told me about WBF! He said if you win first place there, you get tons of money, so mi immediately thought, this is it! This is my only chance!

She clenched both hands tightly.

So, mi immediately got the application documents, created a company since mi need one, quit high school to focus on work, and that's how mi came to Tokyo!

I see. That's some serious resolve.

In the first place, WBF wasn't a school. It was just a business support organization. Even if she passed the exam, she wouldn't get any academic credentials.

In this country, having "high school dropout" on your record would definitely hold you back, and if you were aiming to become a so-called "normal working adult," it was a high-risk choice. Especially for someone who had no business background to begin with.

Nevertheless, her resolve to actually take action deserved simple recognition.

. . .

However . . .

So, mi gonna work super hard to pass the exam, work super super hard to win first place, and use that money to totally revitalize the island! Then, mi will tell even more people—everyone in Japan—that our island is an amazing place, get them to visit and maybe even move there, and stop the village abandonment! That's my goal!

She spoke animatedly, practically snorting with enthusiasm.

I crossed my arms, leaned back deeply into my seat, and took a breath.

Hey. Do you really think you can actually win?

My tone was sharp and cutting.

But that was not nearly enough.

Honestly, what you're talking about is just wishful thinking. You've got no money, no knowledge. You desperately lack experience and a track record, and you don't have a single decent business model.

Ahaha, that's—

She started to say something but suddenly stopped.

Hmph . . .

She may be an idiot, but she's not completely oblivious to reading the room.

Has she noticed that I'm angry?

In contrast, the people who have made it through the selection process are genuine business professionals. There are guys younger than you who've already made billions, others who've created revolutionary services and founded entirely new industries, and even heirs to conglomerate companies everyone knows.

I stared directly into her face.

For someone who was, until recently, living a normal high school life in the countryside to waltz in there and expect to take the top spot? WBF isn't that easy. Business isn't that easy.

Then, I took a slow breath and closed my eyes.

All the hardships, adversity, and bitter experiences that had visited me again and again came flooding back.

I dredged up countless failures and devastating regrets from the depths of my heart.

Don't you dare underestimate it.

I slowly opened my eyes and glared sharply into hers.

Some ordinary person who's just been living comfortably in a cushy little world . . .

. . . Could never beat people who've dedicated everything to business.

With genuine fury, my words carried the weight of my entire life.

I declared them with the intent of completely crushing the world she believed in.

. . .

She remained frozen with her eyes wide open, not moving a muscle.

We just stared at each other as silent moments passed by.

If this level of intimidation made her back down, she had no future anyway.

Even if her hometown disappeared, it wasn't like everything would be completely gone. The kindhearted islanders, who she said were the best thing about the place, would naturally continue living somewhere else.

This country was structured so that the average person could enjoy the greatest happiness, and if that path was still open to someone, there was no need for them to get involved in business.

In that case, it would be more economical and rational to politely ask her to make her exit sooner rather than later.

Then, after a period of silence . . .

Ya are right. It will be really, really tough.

She let out a small breath, then straightened her posture.

Hm . . .

Ya are absolutely right. Mi don't understand anything about companies or business, mi is not smart, and mi don't have any amazing talents or ideas or anything like that. Whatever mi do, mi is just a clumsy screwup.

Hmm . . .

Despite the self-deprecating content of her words, her delivery was smooth. There was no hesitation in her speech.

My friends on the island always say mi is such an airhead, and when mi said mi was quitting school to come to Tokyo, my mom and dad called me a "thoughtless blockhead," and my teacher said mi was "the height of recklessness" and got crazy angry at mi, but . . .

Faced with my intimidation, which had silenced countless adults and executives in the past, she showed not even a trace of fear.

More than anything, she . . .

But mi have never once given up halfway on something mi decided to do.

She never once looked away from me.

Not since the very beginning.

That's why mi will absolutely, absolutely protect the world so that everyone can be happy! Mi will absolutely never give up!

She faced me boldly, directly, head-on.

She took the fury I had hurled at her and spoke those words without looking away.

. . .

. . .